Job Responsibilities
I am solely responsible for the academic achievements of the
students within my classroom. I teach grade five students who
have not yet reached the grade five academic level. I modify
the curriculumn to best suit the needs of the individual
students. I must try my best to modify the grade five
curriculmn reading level so that I am still teaching grade five
content for Social studies, science, health and art while trying
to improve the reading level of the students in the calssroom.
I am responsible for grading and recording the marks for each of
the students in each subject. I am also responsible for staying
in contact with the parents so that they are informed of
attendance and academic achievement. The school division I work
for also expects me to involve native or aboriginal content
where and whenever possible. I am responsible for reporting to
the resorce room teacher any child who might have a specific
learning disability, and to stay in contact with that resorce
room teacher and use suggestions for help with the individual
students.
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Job Requirements
First of all you must have a certain grade point average for the
University you have chosen it may be between 65-80 depending on
the popularity or need for teachers to be graduated for that
particular University. the University has councellors who will
chart the corses you will need to be elligible for attending
each year and for the elligibility for graduating. The
specializations are left up to you, you can choose to major in
the field of most interest to you. Then you will have a set
number of classes you must take in the given class. Aside from
that the University decides the number of teaching theory
classes and the number of academic classes you must take in
order to graduate with your degree. Each University has a
requirement of academic marks. You must always be above this
mark or you may be asked to leave the facility for a certain
amount of time. At the same time you may graduate with honors
if your marks are high enough. 85%.
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Uppers
The best parts of the job are when you know you have truly reached a child and
made an improvement in their reading or math or any other areas. It is really
rewarding when a child finally catches on to what he/she has been struggling with
and you can see the light dawn on them. The holidays are another upper for this
job as well. The holidays are at Easter Christmas, Spring Break and winter
break. Not to mention the summer vacation. The hours are great as well and are
good especailly for working parents. You work basically the same hours as your
child goes to school. You work approximately 8:30am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm
to 3:30pm Monday to Friday. The hours and the holidays are great because when
you have time off from work so do your chilsren and you can plann family trips
for holiday times. You have a boss that you are accountable to but you are given
a lot of freedom within the realm of your classroom to choose strategies that
best fit the students within your classroom. You may bring in guest speakers and
use just about what ever you can to modivate the students to want learn.
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Downers
The worst parts of the job are parents who don't believe that
their little Johnny or Jannie could have possibly done what they
have. The parents that will back their child and not believe
that you are trying the best you can to get them to learn or
the parents who chose to blame you for the lack of effort the
child puts forth. Also their are times when the school division
or local school board of trusties put extra demands on the
teachers and expects them to put in many extra hours, as an
outing or cultural experience. Sometimes these extras don't
infringe on your own personal life but lots of times they do and
you must do whatever in your power to be able to meet
expectations.
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Lifestyle
The work hours for this job is basically 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
There are times when this varries like reportcard interviews with parents and
extra curricular activities. Most teachers are expected to attend a conference
once per year, you may have to travel for that or it may be in your home
location. Sometimes if there is travel involved the school division will
reimberse a certain percentage. We are expected to hold a Christmas concert
every year as well as a formal meet the teacher night. Teachers are usually
expected to attend graduation cerimonies to support graduands even if you have
never personally taught these students. The dress code at many schools is casual
clean clothes but no blue jeans or sweat clothes. Most school divisions will
abide by the diversity laws set out by government and try to hire accordingly.
If you are seeking a career in education you must trulyl like children for it is
with them that you will be spending at least 30% of you waking time.
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Compensation
Salary base is different in each of the provinces as well I am
sure the states must differ as well. You can expect the
starting salary to be around $36,000.00/ year and each year for
the first ten there will be increments for experience. a
teacher with 10 years experience can expect around $62,000.00.
As well if you have more that one degree you pay will be even
higher. There is not much for bonuses teachers usually get
their salary and that is it but there are some divisions who
will each year give a signing bonus to teachers who sign their
contracts by a certain date. Teachers generally have a great
retirement program and very good insurance and health bennifits.
Generally the sick days are an added bonus for the position.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The job outlook is always good for this occupation because
teachers burn out easily and there is usually a good turn over
rate just about anywhere you go. Teachers sometimes take on a
postions and them fine that it is a very stressfull career and
change careers soon after. Being a teacher takes a great amount
of dedication and love for children. A teacher must have the
energy of a harnest volcano and be able to adapt easily in
his/her methods.
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